Neurocardiology and neurodegenerative disease: Emerging research on emotional regulation and brain-heart connectivity.

This chapter explores the intricate relationship between neurocardiology and neurodegenerative diseases, shedding light on the complex interplay between the brain and heart. It delves into the nervous control of cardiac function, emphasizing the role of intrinsic and extrinsic neural networks. The text examines emotional regulation's impact on cardiovascular health, highlighting the neuroendocrine pathways involved in stress responses. Furthermore, it investigates how neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease affect the brain-heart axis. The chapter also discusses cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques used to study these connections, providing a comprehensive overview of this emerging field. By integrating insights from neurology, cardiology, and psychology, this work contributes to our understanding of how cognitive decline and emotional states influence heart function, paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches.